Mt Elbrus expedition

Mount Elbrus is the highest mountain in Russia and in Europe, and the tenth most prominent peak in the world. A dormant volcano, Elbrus forms part of the Caucasus Mountains in Southern Russia, near the border with Georgia.

Mount Elbrus – one of the 7 summits, the highest mountain of European continent. Its West summit is 5642 m high, the East one is 21 m shorter – 5621 m.

Mt. Elbrus is situated between the Black and the Caspian sea on territory of the Russian Federation, only 20 km from the Georgian border. Mount Elbrus is a dormant volcano. The last explosion occured about 2000 years ago. The two summits of Elbrus are in fact two craters of volcano. Everywhere on its slopes you can see debris of solidified lava.

Mount Elbrus climb via the north route, 10 days

The main difference between the south route and the north route is that there are lifts and snow-cats on the south side. You don’t have to carry your backpack from 2200 m up to 3800 m, you enjoy views from a cable car instead. Same on the summit day: almost every group rides a snow-cat up to 5000 m, so there are only a view hours of hiking up to the summit.

On the north side you have to walk the whole distance self and carry your backpack from the base camp at 2500 m up to the hut at 3800 m. That’s why it takes more days than via the south side. The route is less crowded and closer to nature: there are no hotels, restaurants and shops.

IMPORTANT NOTE :

Moscow to Kislovodsk is about 1700kms . There is a Train / Airplane from Moscow to Kislovodsk.

The amount charged INR 10,000/- through this page is the registration amount , which would be deducted from the total amount payable.

The amount payable in INR, would be charged equivalent to the latest US Dollar exchange rate, at the payment time

Climbing permit has to paid on spot by participants (the amount will be set by the National park, still unknown)- around USD $5

Registration amount is NON-REFUNDABLE & NON TRANSFERABLE.

Additional information

Imp Note

The INR price would be calculated on the basis of the USD price at the time of payment.

1

Day 1 -Arrival at airport MRV, transfer to city of Kislovodsk

Arrive at Mineralnye Vody airport. Our guide will meet you from your flight outside of the arrival hall. Transportation to hotel will be arranged by 14:30, so you can arrive with any flight that lands before that time. Transportation to our hotel in city of Kislovodsk (800 m above see level) will take about 1 hour. The guide will check your equipment upon arrival to hotel and you may agree to have a dinner with the group mates somewhere in the city or at hotel

2

Day 2 -Transfer to the BC at 2500 m. Acclimatization hike in surroundings

We start from the hotel at about 7 in the morning. You may leave some bags in the storage room at hotel. Rental equipment you will get either in Kislovodsk on the way to the base camp (2500 m) or in the basecamp itself. The way will take 3 hours. On the halfway there will be a stop for breakfast at a local cafe with traditional Caucasian pancakes. There will be a lunch waiting for us at the base camp and a nice walk in surroundings after that.

3

Day 3 -Load ferry to the HC at 3800 m. Sleep at BC.

Today we’ll carry some part of equipment to the high camp at 3800 m and come back to the base camp. The way up takes about 4-5 hours and another 2 hours for the way down. You may ask your guide to agree with a porter if you don’t want to carry your backpack self. That costs €3 per 1 kg.

4

Day 4 -Move to the High Camp at 3800 m. Overnight at the hut at HC.

Move to the high camp on Mount Elbrus. With the rest of equipment we hike up to the high camp at 3800 m. Free time.

5

Day 5 -Acclimatization hike to Lenz Rocks (4800 m)

Acclimatisation hike up to the Lenz Rocks (4800 m). This will take 5-6 hours up and 2-3 hours down. Overnight at the high camp (3800 m).

6

Day 6 -Day of rest

Day of rest at the high camp (3800 m). Today you may have an ice and snow course. You will practice in self-arresting with an ice-axe when sliding down the slope. Bed time at 8 pm.

7

Day 7 -Summit day. Overnight at HC

Light breakfast and start from the camp at about 2 a.m. Initially, all climbers are striving to the West summit since it is 21 m higher than the East one. But the way to there is 3 hours longer and not everybody can manage this. If a group is big enough and there are several guides, the chief guide can decide to split the group in two. This takes place at the altitude of about 5000 m and it is the chief guide who decides who goes to the East summit and who goes to the West summit. He is responsible for safety of the group and every climber and he is experienced enough to estimate physical and mental state of every participant, so his decision is ultimate.

There is an important rule on Elbrus: at 1 p.m. you have to turn down, no matter how close to the summit you are. This is because the weather is worsening after midday. If you are a slow walker you can hire a personal guide and start earlier than the other people in your group. Normally, ascent of Mount Elbrus takes 9 – 11 hours and descent to the high camp at 3800 m – 4-6 hours. Overnight at the high camp (3800 m).